Xebec: Difference between revisions
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The term '''xebec''' ({{IPA2|ˈziːbɛk}} or {{IPA|[zɪˈbɛk]}}; also written ''xebeck'', ''xebe(c)que'', ''zebec(k)'', ''zebecque'', ''chebec'', ''shebeck'' ({{IPA2|ʃɪˈbɛk}}); from {{lang-fr|chabec'', now ''chebec}}, {{lang-es|xabeque'', now ''jabeque}}, {{lang-pt|enxabeque'', now ''xabeco}}, {{lang-it|sciabecco'', ''zambecco'', ''stambecco}}, {{lang-ar|شباك}}, ''{{ArabDIN|šabbāk}}'' and {{lang-tr|sunbeki}}; origin uncertain, but perhaps a fishing boat originally: Arabic root means 'a net') refers to a small, fast vessel of the [[16th century|16th]] to [[19th century|19th]] centuries, used almost exclusively in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Xebecs were similar to galleys used by [[Berber people|Berber]] corsairs having both lanteen sails and oars for propulsion. Early xebecs had two [[mast (sailing) | mast]]s; later ones three. Xebecs featured a distinctive [[Hull (watercraft) | hull]] with pronounced overhanging [[Bow (ship) | bow]] and [[stern]], and rarely [[Displacement (fluid) | displaced]] more than 200 [[tonnage | ton]]s, making them slightly smaller and with slightly fewer guns than [[frigate]]s of the period. |
The term '''xebec''' ({{IPA2|ˈziːbɛk}} or {{IPA|[zɪˈbɛk]}}; also written ''xebeck'', ''xebe(c)que'', ''zebec(k)'', ''zebecque'', ''chebec'', ''shebeck'' ({{IPA2|ʃɪˈbɛk}}); from {{lang-fr|chabec'', now ''chebec}}, {{lang-es|xabeque'', now ''jabeque}}, {{lang-pt|enxabeque'', now ''xabeco}}, {{lang-it|sciabecco'', ''zambecco'', ''stambecco}}, {{lang-ar|شباك}}, ''{{ArabDIN|šabbāk}}'' and {{lang-tr|sunbeki}}; origin uncertain, but perhaps a fishing boat originally: Arabic root means 'a net') refers to a small, fast vessel of the [[16th century|16th]] to [[19th century|19th]] centuries, used almost exclusively in the [[Mediterranean Sea]]. Xebecs were similar to galleys used by [[Berber people|Berber]] corsairs having both lanteen sails and oars for propulsion. Early xebecs had two [[mast (sailing) | mast]]s; later ones three. Xebecs featured a distinctive [[Hull (watercraft) | hull]] with pronounced overhanging [[Bow (ship) | bow]] and [[stern]], and rarely [[Displacement (fluid) | displaced]] more than 200 [[tonnage | ton]]s, making them slightly smaller and with slightly fewer guns than [[frigate]]s of the period. |
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In the [[18th century|18th]] and early [[19th century|19th]] centuries, a large poleacre-xebec carried a [[square rig]] on the [[foremast]], [[lateen]] [[sail]]s on the other masts, a [[bowsprit]], and two [[headsail]]s. The square sail distinguished this form of a xebec from that of a [[felucca]] which is equipped solely with |
In the [[18th century|18th]] and early [[19th century|19th]] centuries, a large poleacre-xebec carried a [[square rig]] on the [[foremast]], [[lateen]] [[sail]]s on the other masts, a [[bowsprit]], and two [[headsail]]s. The square sail distinguished this form of a xebec from that of a [[felucca]] which is equipped solely with [[lateen]] sails. The last of the xebecs in use by European navies were fully square-rigged and were termed xebec-frigates. |
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Sea-going Mediterranean peoples greatly favoured xebecs as [[privateer | corsairs]], and for this purpose built them with a narrow floor to achieve a higher speed than their victims, but with a considerable [[beam (nautical) | beam]] in order to enable them to carry an extensive [[sail-plan]]. When used as corsairs they carried a crew of 300 to 400 men and mounted perhaps 16 to 40 guns according to size. In peacetime operations, the xebec could transport merchandise. |
Sea-going Mediterranean peoples greatly favoured xebecs as [[privateer | corsairs]], and for this purpose built them with a narrow floor to achieve a higher speed than their victims, but with a considerable [[beam (nautical) | beam]] in order to enable them to carry an extensive [[sail-plan]]. The [[lateen]] rig of the xebec allowed for the ship to sail close hauled to the wind often giving it an advantage in pursuit or escape. The use of oars or sweeps allowed the xebec to approach vessels who were becalmed. When used as corsairs they carried a crew of 300 to 400 men and mounted perhaps 16 to 40 guns according to size. In peacetime operations, the xebec could transport merchandise. |
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Words similar in form and meaning to ''xebec'' occur in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic and Turkish. The [[Online Etymology Dictionary]] regards the [[Arabic language | Arabic]] ''shabbak'' (meaning "a small [[warship]]") as the source form. |
Words similar in form and meaning to ''xebec'' occur in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic and Turkish. The [[Online Etymology Dictionary]] regards the [[Arabic language | Arabic]] ''shabbak'' (meaning "a small [[warship]]") as the source form. |
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Revision as of 10:56, 3 April 2007
- This article discusses the sailing vessel. For the Japanese animation studio, see XEBEC.
The term xebec (IPA: [ˈziːbɛk] or [zɪˈbɛk]; also written xebeck, xebe(c)que, zebec(k), zebecque, chebec, shebeck (IPA: [ʃɪˈbɛk]); from [chabec, now chebec] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), [xabeque, now jabeque] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), [enxabeque, now xabeco] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), [sciabecco, zambecco, stambecco] Error: {{Lang-xx}}: text has italic markup (help), Arabic: شباك, Template:ArabDIN and Turkish: sunbeki; origin uncertain, but perhaps a fishing boat originally: Arabic root means 'a net') refers to a small, fast vessel of the 16th to 19th centuries, used almost exclusively in the Mediterranean Sea. Xebecs were similar to galleys used by Berber corsairs having both lanteen sails and oars for propulsion. Early xebecs had two masts; later ones three. Xebecs featured a distinctive hull with pronounced overhanging bow and stern, and rarely displaced more than 200 tons, making them slightly smaller and with slightly fewer guns than frigates of the period.
In the 18th and early 19th centuries, a large poleacre-xebec carried a square rig on the foremast, lateen sails on the other masts, a bowsprit, and two headsails. The square sail distinguished this form of a xebec from that of a felucca which is equipped solely with lateen sails. The last of the xebecs in use by European navies were fully square-rigged and were termed xebec-frigates.
Sea-going Mediterranean peoples greatly favoured xebecs as corsairs, and for this purpose built them with a narrow floor to achieve a higher speed than their victims, but with a considerable beam in order to enable them to carry an extensive sail-plan. The lateen rig of the xebec allowed for the ship to sail close hauled to the wind often giving it an advantage in pursuit or escape. The use of oars or sweeps allowed the xebec to approach vessels who were becalmed. When used as corsairs they carried a crew of 300 to 400 men and mounted perhaps 16 to 40 guns according to size. In peacetime operations, the xebec could transport merchandise.
Words similar in form and meaning to xebec occur in French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, Arabic and Turkish. The Online Etymology Dictionary regards the Arabic shabbak (meaning "a small warship") as the source form.
The Spanish jabeque had only lateen sails, as portrayed in the Cazador. This ship was built and used by the Spanish crown in the mid XVIII century to fight Algerian corsairs (privateers) in the Mediterranean Sea. Algerian Berber corsairs also used three lateen sails xebecs in their raids on Mediterranean trade.